A/N: Rain is going to take up two chapters. The first one is rather dark. The second one is a bit naughty.
Please excuse the use of profanity, it was necessary to portray the emotions of the characters. I'm not personally a big fan of swearing.
Chapter 7: Rain (Part I )
"Exactly how long have you been up?" Ichigo asked as he got out of bed lazily, for he had woken up to find Byakuya sitting at the desk working on his communication devices. Byakuya was frowning at his laptop screen, and did not grace Ichigo's question with a reply, he was feeling irked at how little work he had for the day.
Byakuya had more reason to frown at the screen when it half reflected the image of Ichigo stretching behind him, making noises that seemed incredibly inappropriate to the well-bred noble. He found it very disturbing to watch and hear him stretch.
For some reason, the teenager appeared to be in a good mood, because despite the previous failure to extract a response he still continued talking. "It's the weekend, Byakuya. Who gets up early to work on a weekend? You need to loosen up! Anyway let's have breakfast, you must be hungry since you've been up for a while."
Loosen up. How dare the brat say such things to me? But Byakuya washungry, so he decided work could wait a little.
"Hey Byakuya, how do you spend weekends back in Soul Society?" Ichigo asked, wondering if the ice-prince was at least more relaxed when he was at home, or if he was just as cold and stiff.
"I tend to matters of my clan and its businesses and property, which accumulate over the week while I'm busy with the responsibilities of Squad Six," came the uninteresting reply.
It was Ichigo who frowned this time. "Don't you ever...you know, do anything to...relax?" Although, somehow, it was difficult to picture Byakuya relaxing. In fact Ichigo had actually believed Byakuya even frowned while he slept, but he found proof that he was wrong since they started sharing a bedroom. Not like I watch Byakuya sleeping of course. Not like he looks beautiful while sleeping. Wait, did I just think 'beautiful'?
"If I get some free time, I perform calligraphy, or read, or take long walks."
That does not sound fun. But then again, Byakuya relaxing was possible, but Byakuya having fun was surely impossible!
"What are the weekend activities of humans?"
Ichigo hated how Byakuya's voice always made it sound as if humans were inferior beings. Of course, he thinks everyone is inferior to him. Snob. "Well, it's different for different people. I like to spend my weekends playing video games, watching anime or movies, or hanging out with friends. I also use some of the free time to help around with chores at home. But this weekend I have to study, because I have some make-up exams for the ones I missed during the winter war."
Byakuya quietly registered the activities that sounded so alien to him. Since he liked to read, he was quite well informed on matters of the human realm, so he had some idea what video games, movies and anime were. But the way the boy spoke of enjoying the activities was what seemed alien. That, and chores.
After breakfast, Byakuya and Ichigo were left alone in the house because the girls were going on a picnic with their friends. But half an hour into the silence as they both concentrated on their own work, Byakuya's hollow sensor started beeping. And the first set of beeping was joined by a second.
"Two hollows?" asked Ichigo.
Byakuya didn't say anything, but reached for his Soul Candy dispenser to turn back to his Shinigami form.
"Hey Byakuya, I think I'd like to go with you -"
"Kurosaki Ichigo stop delaying me unnecessarily. Do you think I'm incapable of handling two such low level hollows? And you have been ordered to refrain from fighting them."
"I know, I know. Look, I'm just bored of not being a part of Shinigami duties. I miss it. I just want to tag along, I'm not going to fight. Okay?"
Byakuya neither agreed nor declined, but simply stepped out the window. Taking his silence to be an affirmative, Ichigo hurriedly turned into his Shinigami form using his Substitute Shinigami badge, asked Kon to stay out of trouble and followed Byakuya who had already flash-stepped into a considerable distance.
As they headed for the direction of the hollows, Ichigo noticed that the sky was dark and grey. It was probably going to rain. He was snapped from his thoughts when the hollow reiatsu was right up ahead, and Byakuya gracefully landed to the ground.
There was one hollow standing not far from Byakuya, who simply raised his hand to fire a kido spell. "Destructive Art number Four. Byakurai." The pale lightning shot from Byakuya's fingers immediately disintegrated the hollow.
Ichigo watched from the roof of a nearby building. Watching Byakuya fight, if you could call such effortless action fighting, was quite a treat to the eyes. Such grace, class and power. But once again he was taken out of his thoughts as two more hollows appeared immediately in front of and behind Byakuya, and Ichigo found himself opening his mouth to shout a warning to the noble.
But before his words left his mouth, Byakuya had sheathed his sword after slicing through both the hollows.
This guy is really amazing. But I'm never going to tell him that and add to his stupid ego, thought Ichigo.
Byakuya scanned the surroundings and concentrated on picking up any further trace of hollow reiatsu. When he didn't find any, he cross-checked with his hollow sensor.
"So I guess we're going back home now?" asked Ichigo from the nearby roof.
"No, there is a dimensional rift here which allowed the hollows to enter in a group. I'm going to seal it," replied Byakuya as he took off into the air again and slowly raised his reiatsu to work on the rift.
But suddenly, there was an uncontrolled burst of reiatsu from Ichigo, sending shockwaves across for miles.
"What are you doing, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Byakuya asked annoyed and turned around, only to find Ichigo hunched over on the roof, holding his head in his hands, a look of pain on his face and his eyes unfocused.
The brat has lost control of his reiatsu, Byakuya realized. It was probably a part of the process of Ichigo losing his powers.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, control your power, now." He ordered coldly. "You're going to make the rift worse if you don't." But Ichigo did not seem to be hearing him, let alone doing as he said.
Byakuya decided to trap Ichigo in a binding spell, but was interrupted as Ichigo's explosive reiatsu multiplied even more, with a simultaneous rip of the dimensional rift. Hollows, including Menos Grande in the tens, started pouring in.
Byakuya had to act fast. The Hollows were being drawn into the human world not by their own control, but by Ichigo's sudden reiatsu blasting through the dimensions. In fact, most were flying towards the boy right now.
Byakuya flash-stepped to stand in front of the boy, who was now on his hands and knees overpowered by his own reiatsu. At the same time, he trapped Ichigo into a Six-Rod Light Prison and sliced through the approaching Menos Grande with his sword. The binding spell only toned down Ichigo's overflowing power slightly, and the hollows kept coming from all around them, but Byakuya was too fast to be seen by them as he eliminated them.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, can you not see what's happening? Concentrate and bring down your reiatsu or you'll land your world in danger."
Ichigo felt helpless and angry, he was not doing this on purpose. In fact he had no idea why this was happening and it was so painful.
Hearing only incoherent groans from the boy in reply, Byakuya decided to close up the dimensional rift or at least narrow it down to prevent the influx of hollows. It seemed the boy was not in a state to exert any control. It would be difficult, to close the rift while Ichigo's reiatsu was tearing it apart, and Byakuya released his own reiatsu further.
He considered contacting Soul Society to remove the limiter on his powers, but that would waste precious time and he felt he could act with his limited powers which were still formidable enough to take on all these hollows.
"Chire, Senbonzakura" Byakuya released his shikai, taking down a large number of hollows in a wave of blades that was impossible for them to track. At the same time, he was using a very powerful kido spell on the rift while keeping watch on whether there were any attacks on Ichigo. He also used his own reiatsu to try to overpower the boy's, hoping it would drive Ichigo to bring it under control.
Whether because of that, or not, Ichigo's reiatsu suddenly started falling rapidly. The hollows also came to their senses because of that, and started acting in a more coordinated manner, attempting to spread out in search of food. It would have been effortless with his bankai, but Byakuya was forbidden to use such power in the human realm, so he eliminated the hollows before they could spread out further. Then he finally managed to seal off the rift.
He then returned to Ichigo's side on the roof, finding the boy lying on his side, half curled up and breathing erratically. He looked pale and disoriented.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," Byakuya said and paused, unsure of what to say. He knew the boy had guessed by now that this was an effect of the process of his powers disappearing. "I have sealed the rift securely, we should return now. You will need to rest."
Ichigo struggled to raise himself, supporting his weight on his arms. After the explosion of power, it had suddenly dwindled to a very alarmingly low level and he felt dizzy. Byakuya stood a few steps away, looking impassive and unruffled although he had probably used an unusual amount of effort in the last few minutes. Ichigo slowly got up. The cold hearted bastard is not even offering to help. Not like I'd accept his help if he did offer it.
"Let's go." Byakuya turned around to start heading back to the Kurosaki residence. It had begun to rain, slightly more than a drizzle.
Ichigo took one step, and then stumbled and fell. His reiatsu exploded again, this time far higher.
Byakuya whipped around, finding the boy screaming in agony and his reiatsu was completely out of control. Fortunately, the rift was effectively sealed and did not tear up again. But the boy's reiatsu itself was dangerous.
He proceeded to fire another bakudo spell, this time of higher level, to suppress Ichigo's power. But before he did that, the boy collapsed to the ground. His reiatsu was gone.
It was not just lower this time. It was gone.
Byakuya's eyes widened. Was this it? Had Kurosaki Ichigo actually lost his power for good? He felt a bit flustered at that thought, but then it occurred to him that this was more likely a temporary state. They had gone over the possible scenarios for the Substitute's loss of power in Soul Society, and Byakuya had made sure to thoroughly understand the situation before embarking on his mission to handle it.
Byakuya walked towards the boy, lying face down on the roof now, but stopped short in shock. Ichigo's black shihakusho was disappearing, replaced by plain white robes. His Shinigami powers were disappearing.
Ichigo raised himself up on his arm, and he exclaimed in shock and Byakuya let out a gasp.
There was a chain hanging from Ichigo's chest.
Byakuya knew that the other end of the chain was attached to Ichigo's mortal body.
Ichigo stared at it in dismay. Byakuya suddenly flash stepped to his side and picked him up, an unusual anxious look on his face.
Ichigo's head lurched as Byakuya hoisted him over his shoulder. "Kurosaki Ichigo, we need to get you into your mortal body, as soon as possible."
Byakuya took off in flash step. "If we don't, you may never be able to return."
In the rain which was now coming down in a downpour, he sped over buildings and through the sky, in his fastest shunpo, a speed only outdone by the "god of flash" Shihoin Yoruichi. If they could not return to Ichigo's body before the chain broke, it would mean Ichigo's soul would be permanently severed from the body.
In other words, Ichigo would die.
Byakuya was surprised at the wave of sadness flowing through him at that thought. The sadness had suddenly appeared when he first felt the boy losing his power. But now it came back stronger. He did not want the boy to die.
Would he have to perform konsoh on him? Would he have to slay Ichigo's hollow if it took over?
Byakuya did not understand, and would not indulge himself in such foolish emotions. He closed off his mind to those feelings, concentrating on reaching the Kurosaki residence as fast as he could.
"Byakuya, damn it, stop moving so fast. I feel ill." Ichigo sobbed into the Shinigami's robes, holding on in the fear of being flung off by the speed. He felt nauseous and scared.
"Be quiet and close your eyes." hissed Byakuya.
"Byakuya please just put me down. I...I can't take this anymore." Ichigo cried, but couldn't continue speaking because the world started to go dark before his eyes.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, do not lose consciousness, you must try to stay awake," urged Byakuya, a hint of apprehension in his deep voice, which did not have its usual calm tone. "Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Ichigo blacked out. Byakuya inaudibly sighed a curse and uncharacteristically broke out in cold sweat, as he continued speeding towards his destination.
Ichigo regained consciousness. His eyes were closed but he could tell he was back in his body and lying in bed. His head hurt and he felt weak and sick. But could breathe a lot easier now than when he was in his soul form with the chain. He could hear the rain pouring down outside, beating against his window. So we made it back to my body. He opened his eyes.
Kuchiki Byakuya was in his gigai again, sitting at the reading table surrounded by his devices from Soul Society, watching him expressionlessly as he opened his eyes and looked around. It pissed Ichigo off.
"Can you recall your name and where you are?" asked Byakuya, to ascertain the boy's mind was functioning alright along with his body.
"Shut up, Byakuya." And thanks for asking how I'm feeling.
Well, his mind seems to be working just fine, thought Byakuya.
"How long was I unconscious?" Ichigo sat up and asked the noble, to find him placidly typing into his laptop. Oh, he must love having a report to write.
"For about three and a half hours."
There was silence for a while, with the only sound being the light tapping on Byakuya's keyboard. Ichigo spoke up, in a heavy voice. "I can't feel my reiatsu. Are my powers gone?" His voice trembled, he hated himself for not being able to act strong in front of Byakuya.
With a slight pause to consider his words, Byakuya replied. "Yes, your powers are gone. However, it is too early to ascertain whether this is temporary or permanent. To reach that decision you have to be observed for -"
"Shut the fucking hell up!" yelled Ichigo, shaking suddenly with rage as he got to his feet.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, watch your language when you speak to me," Byakuya's voice was cold and menacing.
"No. I'll talk however the hell I want, because this is my house. You don't fucking belong here. Get out. Now."
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I am under orders to monitor -" Byakuya was cut off again.
"I am not a mission, Byakuya! I am a person! Stop treating me like an entry in your work agenda."
Ichigo could not stand this anymore, he was in utter despair right now, his life as a Shinigami flashing before his eyes as he registered that his powers were gone. And of all people to be with in this state, Byakuya. How could Soul Society decide to leave me with him at a time like this?
Byakuya stood frowning and glaring at the teenager. He could tell that he was emotionally unstable, but his language and conduct was making him fill up with anger.
"You, you would not have any idea what I'm feeling now, you heartless bastard" the boy said, his voice harsh, broken, trembling. "There's a reason why everyone hates you Byakuya. Yeah, that's right, I'm telling you on your face I'm sure everyone hates you where you come from. Do you think that Rukia, Renji and the other people in Gotei 13 like you? No, they don't. The other captains just treat you with respect for the stick of nobility up your ass. Renji doesn't respect you, he fears you. And Rukia – she doesn't worship you, she's just grateful for things you've done for her but I'm sure no one will ever consider someone who once tried to kill them to really be their brother. Get out Byakuya. I'm in a tough spot in life and have no need to deal with you now."
A flame of rage ignited over Byakuya's body. His reiatsu suddenly went up, of course Ichigo could not feel it. "Kurosaki Ichigo, how dare you -"
"How dare I tell you the truth? No one dares to tell you the truth in Soul Society because they fear you, but I don't. You don't like how it sounds? Well news flash Kuchiki Byakuya, I don't care. Just like you don't care about anyone or anything other than your empty pride."
"Enough!" Byakuya had lost his cool now. He had raised his voice and his eyes were flashing dangerously with rage. "Stop this nonsense, now!"
"Are you ordering me, Kuchiki Taichou? Hey you know what, my powers are gone. I'm not a Shinigami. A captain of Gotei 13 has absolutely no fucking authority to order me. But I order you to get out of my house before I throw you out."
"I am not going to walk out on my mission because of an unstable teenager," Byakuya found himself saying.
Something snapped inside Ichigo's mind. He aimed a punch at Byakuya. Byakuya stopped his fist easily. Even angrier now, Ichigo tried to kick Byakuya in his abdomen. But he found himself thrown on the floor by a blow on his side from the noble.
Ichigo's head reeled more from the insult than the pain. "See, you don't even refrain from holding back on exerting your reiatsu on me even though you know my powers are gone. You make me sick Byakuya. You disgust me." Ichigo found tears running down his face. He felt so ashamed. His voice had lowered to a barely audible raspy whisper, as he said "Get out. Now."
Byakuya had not used an ounce of reiatsu but only the strength of his body in pushing Ichigo, but the boy obviously believed otherwise.
Byakuya was seeing red with anger. He could not believe he was being insulted this way. He could not believe the limits of his patience were being challenged by the Substitute Shinigami. Kuchiki Byakuya would not deal with such insolent behaviour.
He took out the monitoring bracelet and held it in the boy's direction. "Wear this in my absence."
Ichigo looked up, his eyes full of despair and anger. He took the device from Byakuya and threw it against the wall. It broke. "I will not wear your monitoring devices. I am not a mission. I am no longer a Shinigami and I do not have to put up with being treated like a guinea pig by a cruel bastard."
This was the last straw. Byakuya turned on his heel and walked out of the room, out of the plebeian house he had been subjected to living in, and into the rain. His anger was still out of control, for he had slammed the door on his way. The rain was pouring down relentlessly, but Byakuya was too engulfed in rage to notice.
